Organic Skin Care 101

Many people have turned to organic foods over the last two decades to guard against potentially dangerous chemicals. Since skin is the largest organ of the body and naturally absorbs anything applied to it and introduces it to the body’s blood stream. To ward off the chemical onslaught from traditional skin care products, many individuals have turned to organic skin care to ensure that what they are introducing to their bodies through their skin is safe. Some researchers believe that you should never put anything on your skin that you are not willing to eat simply for this reason.

Organic skin care protocols work from a holistic approach where therapies are used to treat skin from the inside out, and the outside in. The goal is to encourage healthy skin through natural exfoliation, cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection natural organic ingredients and no inorganic materials or chemicals. Beautiful skin is dependent on the constant regeneration through the production of collagen and elastin; these are essential components that determine the resiliency, elasticity, strength and clearness of the skin. A healthy diet, plenty of water, gentle cleansing, exfoliating, and body brushing can help collagen and elastin production to rejuvenate skin.

Organic Ingredients Used in Skin Care Products

Organic ingredients in skin care products are free from harmful chemicals and meet the same requirements as organic foods. Nuts, fruit, plant extracts and other natural ingredients are used in skin care products to exfoliate, cleanse, moisturize and tone just as effectively as chemical based skin care products. Some of the ingredients that can be found in organic skin care and beauty products include:

Coconut

Jojoba

Sesame Oil

Olive Oil

Green Tea

Yucca

Shea Butter

Beeswax

Propolis

Raw Cane Sugar

Orange Oil

Rice Bran

Calendula Oil

Avocado Oil

Honey

Oatmeal

Almonds

Potentially Harmful Ingredients In Skin Care Products

There is very little regulation in the world regarding what ingredients can go into skin care and beauty products. In fact, no pre-approval research is required prior to products being allowed on the market. The only part of the formula that is regulated is the color additives. Recent media attention has focused on ingredients in some beauty products that are not listed on the packaging. This includes levels of lead in lipstick that are deemed by some to be dangerous. In addition to lead, there some potentially harmful ingredients that are routinely found in non-organic skin care products. These include:

DEA/MEA/TEA

Dioxane

Mercury

Cyclomethicone

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Polyethlene Glycol

Nitrosamines

Formaldehyde

Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl, Sodium Laureth)

Do Organic Skin Care Products Work?

Yes, they do for most individuals. As with all beauty and skin care products, results vary depending on the skin type and the manner in which the products are used. Typically, natural and organic skin care products are believed to treat some skin conditions including sun damage, the signs of aging, dryness and acne, as well as chemical based skin care products. Additionally, they are safer and more environmentally friendly.

Notes & Side Effects

Organic skin care products typically do not produce adverse side effects. However, individuals with specific known allergies should avoid products with those ingredients. As an example, individuals with an allergy to bee venom should avoid products containing beeswax, propolis and honey and individuals with a nut allergy should avoid products containing coconut, almond, sesame and other nut oils or compounds as they can spur an allergic reaction. Whenever you switch to new beauty or skin care products, it is recommended that you do a small patch test prior to using the product regularly. Choose a small area on your face or neck (where your skin is most sensitive) and apply a small amount of the new product and wait for 24 hours. If you have any signs of redness or rash, discontinue the product immediately.

Kathleen McCoy is professional beauty, education and healthcare analyst and writer. A University of Maryland graduate, Kathleen has traveled and studied extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America covering skin care and natural beauty techniques from around the globe.